Combined tank rinsing valve

ABSTRACT

A tank spraying lance is adapted to have two positions, in one of which a spray is provided which is adapted to clean the inside surface of the tank, and in the other position these spray nozzles are retracted and a valve is closed by a compressible seal ring.

1 United States Patent 1191 1111 3,804,338 Williams, 3rd et al. Apr. 16, 1974 15 1 COMBINED TANK RINSING VALVE 1,813,581 7/1931 Rodrigues ..239/s41x 1 1 James williamwrd, 105 whites 5333432 2133 323311.63: 2311/2115 X Rd., Lansdale, Pa. 19446; JohnS. Fetterolf, 750 Spruce St., R f d p 194 3 Primary Examiner-Robert 5. Ward, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jackson, Jackson & [22] Filed: Jan. 10, 1973 Chovanes [21] App]. No.: 322,413

' ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. .1 239/541, 239/203 [51] Int. Cl B05b 1/32, B05b 15/02 A tank spraying lance is adapted to have two posi- [58] Field of Search 239/203-206, tions, in one of which a spray is provided which ,is 239/407, 417.3, 444, 537, 539, 541, 583-586 adapted to clean the inside surface of the tank, and in the other position these spray nozzles are retracted [56] References Cited and a valve is closed by a compressible seal ring. UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Cl 12 D F 2,909.32'5 10/1959 Hunter 239/206 x PAIENTEB APR 1 61574 SHEET 1 UP 3 FIG. I

PATENTEDAPR 61974 SHEEI 2 [IF 3 PATENTEMPRIBIQH 3.804.338 SHEET 3 [1F 3 1 COMBINED TANK RINSING VALVE DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The invention relates to a tank spraying lance, which is adapted to spray the inside wall of a tank for cleaning purposes as desired, and on demand close off the spray by a compressible seal ring. V

A purpose is to flush the inner walls of a vessel, particularly a chemical reactor of the jacketed pressure type, by an optionally operated spray of water or the like which is sprayed through slots of a plunger.

A further purpose is to cut off the spray when not in use by a valve which has all the aspects of a seatless valve having a compressible seal ring.

A further purpose is to move the spray nozzles around the circumference so as to wash the inside of the vessel.

A further purpose is to completely spray the inside surface of a vessel by a spray which is retractable into the plunger, and keep the spray openings clean by closing the spray openings by retracting them.

Further purposes appear in the specification and in the claims.

In the drawings we have chosen to illustrate only two forms, the forms illustrated having the capability of illustrating variety in the applications of the main func tions.

FIG. I is a section through the combined valve and spray nozzle along the longitudinal axis.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section corresponding to FIG. 1 with the plunger extended. I

FIG. 3 is a section corresponding to FIG. 2 with the plunger retracted.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of an alternate form.

FIG. 5 is an axial section of FIG. 4. I

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section according to FIG. 5 with the plunger in a different position.

FIGS. 7 to l2'are enlarged elevations showing variations in the form of the slots which control the spray.

There is a problem experienced bychemical companies and other users of jacketed pressure vessels in manufacturing chemical products, for example polyvinyl chloride. 'Aftersev eral batches have-been processed, the inner walls of the vessel become coated with a material and must be cleansed byhosing them out manually or flushing out the reactor with water.

The existing tank rinsing valves tend to build up with the solidified product and theirefficiency is marginal. This inventionrelates to an improved flushing valve. It is a form of seatless valve with water spray apertures milled through the plunger wall. When the plunger is retracted into the body (closed position), the sliding compression ring contacts the bevel on the seat insert and moves downward compressing the sealing ring of polytetrafluoroethylene or the like, closing the valve. The seal ring not only shuts off the flow of spray water but also prevents vapors fromentering the valve and the slots remain free and clean. When the valve plunger is moved downward to open the valve, the harder scraper ring clears away any deposit which may have been formed and the seal ring moves smoothly along the adjacent surfaces of the seat insert. The initial movement of the plunger also relaxes the compressive forces on theseal ring by disengaging the sliding compression ring from the bevel of the seat insert. Water from the supply pipe flowing through the space between the body and the plunger passes through the water inlets into the hollow plunger and emerges from the spray apertures.

The seating surface of the seat insert in the body is washed clean as the plunger moves into open position and again as it closes. By angling the apertures, the spray washes the roof of the reactor as the plunger is gradually moved downward into the fully open position. The number of spray slots can be changed to admit more or less water in a given period of time. With multiple water inlets into the plunger and a large supply pipe, several hundred gallons a minute can be sprayed if desired.

The apertures can be arranged to develop 360 spray coverage.

In one form of the invention a compressible seal ring is located on the plunger of the valve. In an alternate form a compressible seal ring is located in the body. Also, the plunger may be manually rotated back and forth, for example over approximately 150 arc. More uniform spray coverage is achieved of the vessel wall.

There may be various forms of spray as subsequently disclosed. 7

Considering the form of FIGS. 1 to 3, a hollow plunger 20 is connected to a stem 21 which is connected to a manually rotatable handle 22 of FIG. 1. The stem 21 is threaded through a plunger drive bushing 23 threaded to the plunger. The stem is mounted in a stem bearing 24 in a yoke post 25 mounted on a valve body 26. 1

Between the body and the plunger at the rear end there is a stop ring 30, a gland packing 31 and a gland bushing 32 beneath a gland flange 33. Access for flushing liquid such as water to the interior of i the plunger is provided by a pipe connection 34 into the body which gains access to the space 35 around the plunger, which is admitted to the interior of the plunger by an opening 36, which in extended position such as FIG. I or FIG. 2 discharges through slots 37 to form a spray which washes the interior walls of the vessel.

In the form of FIGS. 1 to 3, there is a compressible sealing ring 38 which in'the closed position receives pressure from the compression ring 45. An optional scraper ring 50 is held on by locking ring 51, threaded to the end of the plunger. Alignment of the plunger in open position is made possible by a guide ring 52 retained by a split ring 53. Accordingly, in closed position the spray slots 37 are open but are sealed at the top by packings 31, and are sealed at the bottom by seal ring 38 which is compressed by compression ring 45 acting by its cam surface against the cam surface of the insert 54.

The bottom of the plunger is closed by head which is welded into the plunger.

Thus, the plunger in the form of FIGS. 1 to 3 is sealed at the bottom by compression ring 38 on the plunger, which not only served the purpose of closing the spray, but also preventing vapors of the pressure vessel from entering the body flow passage or attacking the parts of the valve.

The body of the valve is mounted on the pressure vessel 61 by a flange 62 as shown in FIG. 1.

In an alternate form of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the plunger is rotatable by making the plunger drive bushing 23' smaller and mounting a rotation handle 71 thereon, thus getting a range of approximately 150. In this form the compressible seal ring of polytetralfuoroethylene (Teflon) 38' may be mounted on the body, between a retaining ring 72 and a compression ring 73 which is held by an insert 74 in the body 26. The plunger 20 carries a bottom ring 75 up to press against the compression ring 73 which compresses the seal ring 38' around the plunger in the closed form of FIG. 6. The slots 37' for spraying may be of varied pattern and location to wash the complete circumference and with rotation of the plunger 20 of the spray uniformly covers the entire inside of the circumference of the vessel 61. When the valve is closed as in FIG. 6, the spary openings 37 are closed and the entrance of process vapors is prevented by seal ring 38.

In FIG. 3 the slots 37 are slightly oriented at a reentrant angle to the axis of the plunger so that they will clean the inside of the vessel.

In FIG. 5 the slots 37 are oriented to spray both toward the adjacent part of the inside of the vessel and more generally over the inside of the vessel in a wide area.

Various other forms of spray may be used on the plunger. In FIG. 7 the spray slots 37 are horizontal but they lengthen slightly toward end 60 as shown at 80. The slots shown in FIG. 7 are duplicated on all sides of the plunger.

In FIG. 8 the slots 37 are angled from l525with respect to the radius all around the plunger.

In FIG. 9 the slots 37 are angled around the plunger as in FIG. 3 but they are spaced more widely and they are interspersed by holes 37. which are radial.

In FIG. 10 vertical slots 37 are radial all around the plunger.

In FIG. 11 the plunger has slots 37" which are of herringbone design completely around the plunger, the direction being radial.

FIG. 12 has radial holes 37 around the plunger.

In view of our invention and disclosure, variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need willdoubtless become evident to others skilled in the art to obtain all or part of the benefits of our invention without copying the structure shown, and we,

therefore, claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of our claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a valve which has means for flushing, a valve body, a hollow plunger operating in the valve body to move in to close the valve and to move out to open the valve and conduct spray from the plunger, a stem connected to the plunger and having threads, a yoke post supporting the stem, a bearing between the yoke post and the stem, a handle on the stem adapted to permit opening and closing of the valve by manipulation of the stern, a nut on the threads of the stem secured to the back of the plunger to move the plunger up and down, a packing between the plunger and the body at the rear of the body, a packing between the forward end of the plunger and the forward end of the body to closethe forward end of the body against leakage when the plunger is retracted, there being spray slots at the sides of the plunger and in closed position of the plunger located between the plunger packings, the slots at the forward position of the plunger being between the plunger rear packing and the forward end of the plunger, a connection for liquid into the body between the two packings, a connection from the space around the plunger into the plunger located between the two packings, a closure from the hollow at the rear of the plunger and at the rear of the connection and a closure for the plunger at the forward end.

2. The invention of claim 1, in which the slots are directed to the side of the plunger with a forward and rearward bias.

3. The invention of claim I, which has a compressible sealing ring near the forward end of, the plunger and a cooperating generally conical portion near the forward end of the body to effect a seal when the plunger is drawn up into the body.

4. The invention of claim 1, which has an annular projection on the forward end of the plunger around the outside and a cooperating packing near the forward end of the body.

5. The invention of claim I, wherein the spray nozzles have angled slots and radial holes interspersed.

if l I II 

1. In a valve which has means for flushing, a valve body, a hollow plunger operating in the valve body to move in to close the valve and to move out to open the valve and conduct spray from the plunger, a stem connected to the plunger and having threads, a yoke post supporting the stem, a bearing between the yoke post and the stem, a handle on the stem adapted to permit opening and closing of the valve by manipulation of the stem, a nut on the threads of the stem secured to the back of the plunger to move the plunger up and down, a packing between the plunger and the body at the rear of the body, a packing between the forward end of the plunger and the forward end of the body to close the forward end of the body against leakage when the plunger is retracted, there being spray slots at the sides of the plunger and in closed position of the plunger located between the plunger packings, the slots at the forward position of the plunger being between the plunger rear packing and the forward end of the plunger, a connection for liquid into the body between the two packings, a connection from the space around the plunger into the plunger located between the two packings, a closure from the hollow at the rear of the plunger and at the rear of the connection and a closure for the plunger at the forward end.
 2. The invention of claim 1, in which the slots are directed to the side of the plunger with a forward and rearward bias.
 3. The invention of claim 1, which has a compressible sealing ring near the forward end of the plunger and a cooperating generally conical portion near the forward end of the body to effect a seal when the plunger is drawn up into the body.
 4. The invention of claim 1, which has an annular projection on the forward end of the plunger around the outside and a cooperating packing near the forward end of the body.
 5. The invention of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzles have angled slots and radial holes interspersed. 